Method of making casings of pneumatic tires for vehicles.



E1 HUFWNSUN.

Minion o mmm; msmffss mamma@ ums ro@ mucus.

lzzvntvd Dm: 3l, 1918.

4 bHEETS-QHEE] lu/venten mnima.

i. HUFKINSUN.

ummm; JF Pwuwmac mm ma VEHICLES.

Ylntwntffd Deu. 31, 1916 4 bHEETS -SHELT 2 ci] vivant@ t t. HUPKiNSQN. mamon of MMING CASINGS of ,Cm-imma mais Fmi VEHICLES.

APPLCATUN FiLED 1ML YB, 19TH` 4 SHEETSSHEE 3.

S vvvento@ VE. HUP lNSUN MEHUD of Mmm@ mimos 0F PNEUMAHC wm am vi-iHlcLts.

APPLICAUN llFD MNA 1H, ISH# 4 SH'LES SHEET 4.

n vento a g/MWM UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIcE.

ERNEST HOPKINSON, OF NEW YORK, N V..

METHOD 0F MAKING CASIN GS OF PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR VEHICLES.

nulication Med January 18, 191B.

To all whom. it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ERNEST HoPmNsoN, n citizen of the United States, residing in New York city, county of New York, and Stute of New York, have invented a: certain new and useful Method of Making Casings of Pneumatic Tires for Vehicles, of which the following is n full, clear,` and exact de- Scription.

The present invention has for its object to provide a new method of making casings for pneumatic tires Jfor motor driven vehicles and has particular referme@ to the vulcenizinggr process. In describing this method certain apparatus will be described but such apparatus is not claimed in this application but reserved to be made subject of other applications.

The invention has particular reference to the casings of pneumatic tires for motordriven vehicles built and formed in the menncr set forth in another application tiled by me, Serial No. 140,508, but it will be understood that the invention of this application is applicable to easings made by othtri methods.

1n the manufacture of cnsings for pneu matic tires for motor vehicles the method in common usage is to build the casing on a metal ring core having substantially the cross-sectional shape of the cavity of tho casing when finished. The casing with the inclosed core is then placed Within outer confining means, such as metal mold members or ancanvas wrapping, and subjected to the heet of vulcenization.` In another method, the casing, having 'been made on the core, is taken o thecore, mounted on a rim und vulcanized either wholly or partially lwhile subjected to internal pressure exerted through the medium of u rubber tube or air-ba' to cause the casing to be stretched s lghtly and expanded and pressed against the inner surface of'the outer .mold members. In'this procese the rubber tube or air-bag een only withstfind comparatively few vnlcanizing heatseand, being quite expensive, `adds Ine.- terinlly to4 the cost of the vul'renizing pro/cess.

In the method of vulcenization in which the casing is pressed tightly between the Specification of Letters Patent.

rutcnted Dec. 31, 1918,

Serial No. 212,517.

outer surface of :t metal core and the inner surface of the mold members, there is no stretching or straightening of the threads nf the casing, which straightening is eX- iremely desiruble, und it is essentiel that the unvulennizcfl tires shnllihe built with the utmost nicetv in order topropin'ly fit the space between the ontcisurfare of the core :and the inner surface of the mold members.

The object of my invention is to obtain the advantages oi.' stretching or straight cning the threads oi" the casing without the employment of :my tube or nir-beg conw struction duri the vnlcanizing iroccss, so that the coat esulting from the estrucion of such. tubes or air-bags Shell be elimina-ted, and eine te avoid the use of the core in any such manner :is shall require the nicety of fit necessary where the casing fills the space between the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the outer mold member.

I will describe the invention as carried out on e tire casing built inet pulley-band form es dez-crihed in niy said application end in @imiter-tion with one form of appa- Intus which .i have found particularly eilicient. 1

In the drawings accompanying the pres ent eppiication vFigure i ie view partly in ei'inis-soiition und pertiy in Side elevation of e hollow pulley designed to be Steamhceted end used for the purpose of warming the pulley-band carcass prior to forming the same to tire shape.

Fig. '2 is a. view taken along Aline 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in eross-section of a ortion of the machine for forming the pulley-band casing into tire shape, which apparatus is fully described in my applica.- tion ebow referred to.

Fig. 4 is a. view in crosssection of the unvulcanized cesing and associated parts after the seme have been removed from the apparatus shown iin Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is e. view in cross-section showing the parts illustrated in Fig. i and associated with outer ooniiiiing moons.

Fig'. 6 is n. view sii'nilu'r to Fig. 5 but showing the t-re casing expended into contact with tht; inner surface of the outer rontining moans.

Fig. 7 is a viPw in cross-section showing thv` tiro dissociated from. the parts shown in Figs. 5 and G and illustrating its associ lion with tln'` linll-ring closuro whivli is nsod in thv final vulcanizntinn.

Fig. 8 is a vivw in ross srution showing thv using associatnd with tht'y parts used in tho final vnlcanizing operation.

Fig. S) is a view similar (o Fig. 8 hnt show in a n'iodiiind form of hull-ring.

h the variousv figures of thol drawings like linnn-mls of ri'fervnt'o rotin' lo like parts. I

Ihfferring to those drawings in detail: Fig. l illustratus a pulley comprising a :wia tion 1 and a hinged portion 2 both of which are nitido hollow and are indnpmidrntly snp plied with a heating inwliuni, snrh as ,sh-ani. inlot tubos 3 and ontlt-t tnhns t lining pro vided for the` cirrnlation ot thtl stt-ani through tht-` hollow wrtions.

After a casing has heen huilt in pulling- !nnil forni in tht,I niannrr sul fui'th in niv apjlilicntion nluwv reform-il to, it pre-hir nulli' plaf'nd on thi vwarniiingI pulita'. tln hinged portion 2 boing providvd lo pei-init. of the pnllvy-hand boing easily applisil and rvmoved. Preferably the inner` plyv of fahritwill have a skim loat nf inhhvi ahont .005 of an int-li thit'k on its innvi' surfant?. 'hils it is not absolutelyv Lissential to warm lhsx pnllny-hand vasing. it is hig ij. fit-sirahle, ns the citer-t ot thu warming opm'ntion is to soften theV rnlinm hotween the various plies of thi` *Fabric and permit Lln threads to niortx vasily nim'r i'\l.fit"ivnlj\r to oavli ntlnir duringr [hn snlifsctpnnt l'nrxning riptfiatinn. Furthrr. this warming oporation permits tlw prtssino of ihn innri tnlw inail in ihr sith minfin thinning ntl 1hr tiri to nior.- :'i-ntlilj.

w i its 'iiution oi' vxpnnding thv #as ing nl .it thv Hann inno thinning It to stili. sinh 'ii llnivsirtd sinn mi tho iinislied sing; Whilie in this drstfi'iption i iei'ur if.; :t tiro ca:-;1iigh'z1lt Completa with the4 cnshion. stock, breaker strip and tre-ad applied,

which is fully doscrihrd in nrv said application above mentioned. For the purposes of this applwatlon 1t will he snflu'unt to say with i-Pgard to this` parl; of tho, pilot-css that thv` lowvr lorlting rinflf 5 is plai'ed in thu` groove in tho rin,lr (i and tluln an undluss ring 7 is plafftd on top oi' tlw ring G, The voilapswd rnhlwr tulir R is lhi'n placed in position nn lh(A rini t. 'l`ht-l pnlleihand (iasin`r it). whilv warm and an 4soon as possihli aiihfr living talirn ll'oin thu wnrnlin f ring. .is plat-ml in thu` position illlnstrattid in full linoj in tfrossi-.nrtion in Fig. 3. Thru thu` appt-r olllu two rings 7 and thtl uppur looking ring :tru placed in position. Tha inhliir (ntic S is: than inilalvd sininltaiwously with the inovoinvnt of thv` rings 11 toward nach other, which lt-.snlts from tho turning of tho right; and loft hand thrvaded rods l2. This opmntion vans-vs tho, pulley-band rinsing to he li'ftml along its ventral line and its rdgf's moved toward oarli otlwr nntil thv parts art.- in fhif, position shown in dottid linrs in Fig. Ii and in "ross-suction on an tnlargtd :trahin Fig, l, in which latini* ril-.w thv lof'liing ring fi arthown in thvir lovliingr position in ii'riunforfnitial recesses in thv rhn 9. Rohn-ring to this Fig. L it will lin: nntlnrltnhl that tht inner tnlie 8 contains air nativ, piwsnrv. lint not. nndor .sniiitiont pressure to (fatwa. tho rasing to ho distendvd to full sin: and shape.

Th@y next step in thv proress is to plane th(- tir(l inonntud on thi l'iin as illustrated in Fig. -t in setting derives which limit the ammini oi' expansion m tht tire and roughlyY lnfinn its final sha in. An nrdinary mold spucially designed Y0r this purpose ma)v lnused, hut prefer to use zoniparativcly light int-,miners finch as thosc illustrated in Fig. 5` whiih ron-sist nf two ririulnfcrmitial .znuinlwrsv lil, oai-h provided with periphnrai tlaiigo` tl sofnrntl in any tlvsirod manner, :ls` hv :tilts in. The iin-nihlnn i3 may liv o' vonipaiali-.viv rough and light uonstrncY tion` fenth -i..; :atmipvd sttt'l @hulls whit-h pirl'ri'nhli' =lttini1 n spara :is largo nr :slightlyy lnigvr than thvA dosirtd size ot' the casing whvn finished. and their 4flinrtion is to limit thtx t-xpansirin of the tira and afford sonne hacking against which thv. intniinil pressurio'l thc tube 49% may be exertt'd to ronipavl. the` wall of the` Casing and, as it tu it at substantially the siztt and shap du sirt-d in the finished rasing. 4

It is desirable. and very unich pret'trahlv, that tho` sequence of operations jnst described shall bo rarricd ont as promptly as possihlo after the, raising has horn Warnind on the Warming ring illustrated in Figs. t and 2. 0f vonrsv` thrl pulley-hand casing begins to cool aftor being takn oli' the warming ring' and thnwforming and expanding opt-rations aril nnivh niortr easily accontplishfd Whilf` the casinar is Warm than after it; has coolnd; and, in fact, the main object of warming the rasing is to oli'tut thv` change ot' torni from pulloy-band shapil to tire relatively to each other .in the tube 8 shall Shape while the casing is warm so that as little strain as possible will be placed on the threads of the carcass in their movement,V which is necessarily involved in the change of shape. It is also desirable that the Huid pressure contained distend the casing into contact with the inner surface of the memsize within the members 13 ter the casing has cooled down it is 'such eEortsv.

` 0f the rubber *i through the be', as the combers 13 as romptly as mlyQ t f X td cien 1 e ere pacting e ect 1s more e while the casing is warm. v

Ashes been stated before, the inner tube preferably does not have its maximum pressure when takenoil the forming apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3, so that when the members 13 are associated with the casing the casing does not lill the cavity delined by these members. Immediately these members 13 have been placed in 'position' full pressure is .given to the inner tube (about 150 pounds to the square inch) and the easing is placed to one side where the internal rassure gradually 'expands .the casing to Ell the cavity definedV by the members'l and acts to compress the casing` against the'inner surface of said members, the assemblage being left until the casing has cooled. In this manner the expansion 0f the casing to substantially the desired size and shape has taken place without subjecting the inner tube to any vulcanizing heat, the heat of the casing resulting from its revious warming, so far as concerns any eteriorating efle'ct on theinner tube, being negligible. In Fig. 6 I have shown the casing expanded to full dismounted from the rim 9 and the inner tube Withdrawn. Upon the withdrawal of the tube the casing will contract slightly, but very slightly, as the eiiect of holding it under pressure after 'it has been warmed` and during the process' of cooling down has been to set' all the parte relative-to 'each otherat substantiall the desired size and shape. It will be un erst/ood, however, that the desired configuration is given to the tread in the nal vulcaniza'tion. am aware that it has' heretofore been .to vulcanize a tirevcasing by using an internal lluid pressure in direct contact l1 the inner surface of the casing, but have failed because the flyid has 'becnreguired to initially stretch the threads or expandlthe fabric of the casing while thecasmg is mnnvulcanized condition. When this is at pted the resistance between the threads of the carcass is less than the resistance of. the threads themselves and it results that the fluid pressure enters the body of the casing interstices of the fabric and causes a spongy or blown conditicn'of the casing when finally vulcanized. But I have discovered that if the threads of the casing are stretched by nn expansible mem-l r, such as a rubber tube or air-bag to substantially the desired size of the finished product much of the tension and resistance of the threads is taken out, and, if the casing is held in this condition for a proper period of time the expansible member will compress or compact the layers of fabric and cause the rubber to enter all the interstices of the fabric and act to seal the same and set the. casing at the desirednal size, s0 that when'the expansible member is withdrawn and Huid under pressure introducedin di- 4rect contact with the casing for the final the casing will read# at which it has been the sealingeilect of vulcanizin operation, ily go bac to the size set without` disturbing the intervening rubber, and there will be n`o penetration of the gas, nor separation of the threads, nor of the plies of fabricof the carcass, nor any sponggy character of the casing which would result if the Huid had been introduced to produce the initial straightening of the threads or expansion of the casing without any preliminary setting process.

After the casing has been dissociated from the parts shown in Figs'. 5 and 6 it is ready for the final vulcanizmg operation, which may now be-e'ected without the use of any solid core or mandrel or any expansible member, such as a rubber tube or air-` bag. In this final vulcanizing operation the casing is sealed by bridging its e ges by a liitable member, such 'as that illustrated in 41g. ring to Fig. 7, 16 designates a desired form of closure for the edges of the casing` which closing member may be called a flanged bullring, andconsists of an annular portion 17' extending radially outward and filling the s ace between t e two, edges ofthecasi n -each side of t is central portiop there 1s a liange 18 having a portioniof its.V inclined to permit of the easy application of the casing, and a straight portion 19 on which the edges of the casin rest during the vulcanizing operation, it ein under-` stood that the diameter 0f the ring 16 at the portions 19 is such as placed mpositionin each the packing being of such' cmssfsectiona size that a substantial portion projects bf yonrJ the groove to ferm a Beal between the t0 Bp'cta `1 pression of the fabric of the v(,Ifsing under* the' diameter of provided with` in the corners' 7, or those illustrated in Fig. 9. Referprovided for i placed by to press 'vuleauizer and subjected to ring 16 and the edges of the casing. When the easing has been associated with the ring 16 in the position'shown in Fig. 7, the edges ofthe casing are pushed up theinclined surfaces onto the flat portions 19 in any desired manner, vsuitable factory appliances being this purpose.

r The'mgearrying the casing thereon is then placed in the lower of members 21. The upper mold member is then placed in osition and this assemblage he two mold members together thus pressing the edges of the casingagainst the sides of the radially projecting portion 17 of the ring 16, squeezing theY excess of rubber in the groove 20 outward and under the edges of the casing in order to produce an extended seal. While theseparts are held under the hydraulic 'press' are clamps Q2 are placed in. position, as illustrated 1n Figs. 8 and 9, for the purpose'of maintaining the' assemblage of parts inthe relative positions they are icaused to assume by the action of the hydraulic press. parts are held together by the hydraulic press, or after the clamps have been applied and the mold removed from the press, Iy

introduce C()2 until a pressure of about 150 pounds to the square inch is attained in the cavity of the casing. This pressure is introduced through the tube 23 which is provided with any suitable valve device for confining the internal Huid, whichvalve device I have not shown in the' drawings. After the sector clamps Z2 have been placed .in position and the fluid introduced into the cavity ofthe casing under pressure, the mold with the contained casing is placed in a suitable the heat of vulcanizntion by any desired means. Preferably the molds will bc placed on top of each other pn the. ram of the ordinary hydraulic ,fs'sr \u1cnniz'er. ln Fig. 9 I have illus tratcd n. modified form of sealing device comprising an endless ring 24 and a broken ring 25, n'hich'is expanded by means of a edge-piece to lit within the inner surface of theiring 24 and expnndthe edges the tire. I havenot illustrated the wedge-piece in the drawing but this description will be sutlicient to enable one skilled -in the art to understand the method which is the subject of this application.

In the drawings I have shown a tire easing having inextensible wires embedded in its edges and provided with straight side walls, and have illustrated apparatus suitable for use. in the manufacture of such a tire casing. It will be understood, however, that the invention is lequally applicable to clencher or Q. D. casing with appropriate modification 'of the form of the apparatus used, and it will also be apparent that the the two moll'rsstantially nthe raulic press which is caused While the ofthe tire on a metal core. I have" l' also emphasized the desirability of the pre- 1 liminary warmm step, dispensed with i the time of holdingthe tire casing under internal pressure at subdesired size of the finished pms materially extended. IfA the tire casing i not given a preliminary warmin process the period during which it is hel under internal pressure ,is very much extended, Whereas, 4if a preliminary Warming process is given to the casing, it need not be kept under pressure any longer than is necessary to completely coolit.

The process is applicable to casings made of thread fabric, or what are commonly known as cord tires, as Well as to casin y which are made of square woven fabric. n the latter case the ends of the pieces of fabric making up each ply are lapped farther than usual in order to permit of the slip which takes place during the forming operation.

L refer to use CO2 as the fluid-pressurebut this step maybe-40' pro ucing medium in the final vulcanizing operation, as effect on the rubber, but .it will be understood that any other fluid maybe used Ywhich is inert so far as concerns its action on the rubber and fabric vof the-tire.

It will be appreciated by an one skilled in the art that the invention o the present application has very important advantages. For instance, compared with the process of vulcanizing with an internal metal core, th'e great cost and upkeep of cores is eliminated as well as the increased `labor necessary to their handling.' Again, when tire casings are 'vulcanized between an inner core and this gas has no deteriorating outer mold members, it is practically impossible to make any variation in the thickness or relative proportions, of the diiferent4 parts of the tire casmg without requiring new core 4or mold equipment: whereas, with the' present method. a Wide latitude is permissible. Comparing processes of vulcanizetion involving the use of an internal tube or airbag during -thevulcanizing process, the expense due/to the destruction bf the inner tnbesor airbags as a result of their being subjected to the deteriorating effect of the heat of repeated vulcanization operations is entirely avoided. Further, in many-processes now in use, whether involving the use of au inner core or an expansible rubber tube or air-bag, it is the common practice to divide the vulcanizing process by giving the carcass or tread, or both, a preliminary partial vulcanization and then uniting the carcass and treadin a. finalvulcanization process. Such a process consumes a long period of time in the heating and cooling necessary Supporting the casing during vulcanization. 65 and requires a large equipment of carcass This directly applied pressure may however, molds, finishing molds, and permanent be relied upon, and in my preferred enibodiplant equipment in the shape of vulcanizer ment is reliedupon, for coperating with the presses; Whereas, in my process, the casing outer mold wa ls for producing the tread Y is vulcanized t a single operation and the and other surface configurations of the rub- 70 number of vulcanizing molds, cores, and ber, and may in factV produce a small amount vulcanizer presses very much reduced. of expansion and stretch of the casing pro- Also, the time consumed in the vuleanizing vided this is Within the limits where nn operations is very much diminished. deleterious results will follow, such as penef course, a substantial measurel of the tration of the wall of the casing by the fluid. 76

advantages of the iiivention may be obtained When therefore I refer in ille claims to the y subjecting the casing to the'actioii of the [use ,of an eX ansible member and the subexpansible member while the casing is iiisequent use o the fluid pressure directly apclosed within outer niold members Within a plied it is to be understood that substanheated vulcanizing vchamber for a short tiall all of the expanding and stretching-is 80 vinitial period of time to thoroughly Warm pro uced by the expansible member. the casing, even though the necessary result What I c aim and desire to secure by Let- 4is a slight vulcanizin effect on the casing ters Patent of the United States is and has a correspon ing deteriorating efv 1. The method of makingla pneumatic tire feet olf the eiipaiisible member; and certain ca'sin comprising the steps of stretching the 85 of the claims are iiftended to be of such three s ofthe formed casin by means of scope as to cover such a use, because in such an expansible member applie tothe interior a method it would still .be possible to avail of the casing until substantially tire size and of that portion of the invention by which shape is attained, holding them under 80 carcass of the casingv are not un d is fore the object of this invention to give the tl1e casing, admitting flui the necessit for using a rubber tube, or airstretched condition by means of said expan- 9o bag throng out the major part of the vulsible member until set andvafterward vulcanizing eriod would be avoided. canizing the casing under the pressure of a It is o vious, if the cords comoosing the Huid'in direct contact with the inner. sur,-

er the reface of the casin quired stretch an posedin the paths of 2. The metlio of making a pneumatic 95 greatest eiliciency at the time the casing 1s tire casing which comprises building the casvulcanized, that the pressure upon the Acasiiig, expanding and holding the sameat a in when in service will subject the cords 0I' desired size in excess of building size at fagric to undue and useless strains, which ,ordinary temperatures under the pressure of. will in time result in separating the cords, an internal, expansible member until sub- 100 threads, etc., from the rubber component Stantially tire size is attained, removin the and at the same time breaking them, thus expansible member, sealing the edges 0% the soon rendering the tire useless. It is there- Acasing' to form a fluid-'t' ht cavity within d pressure to said PI'OPGI Stretch and POSIIOH t9 Ph@ COljdS cavity to support the casinfr at tire size, and 105 prior to vulcanization, and while it 1s quite com leting the easing. y vulcanization immaterial in what manner (Whether in the whilrd acted upon by the directly applied form of an endless ring such as a Hat pulley Huid',

band or the usual form 0f fcilsing built 0n 3. The method of making a pneumatic mentioned.

ber, it is at least esse a core) the several parts QOIupOSillg the tire tire casing which comprises forming the casare originally assey bled, it is essential that ing ofsmaller cross-sectional size than the the cross Sectional ra 0f the CflV 1t.V 0f the desired size vof the finished casing, expandcasing at the completlonof the b'uldln 0P- ,ing the casing while unvulcanized to suberation shall be smaller. than the finished ASmm-al1 the final size by' means ,0f an the. This is necessary in order that 4Suff expansibl'e member while confining the ed es'iis fcient latitude may be given for the Shapof the casing, and holding the same un er ing and stretching steps o f my process necespressure in unvulcanized condition until it sary to produce the desired results above has set at substantially the desired size of the casing when finished, removing the expan- While all ofthe expanding and stretchingl .sible member, sealing the edges of the cas- 12o of the casing and the formation of the trea ing, and finally Vulcania-ing the casin under and other surface configurations need not be t e pressure of a fluid in contact with the produced by means of the expansible n leminner surface of the casin V ntial that substantially t 4. In the method of ma 'ng a pneumatic all of the expanding and stretchin of the tire casin the steps of building the casing threads or fabric of the carcass prowith its central portioniof a smaller diam- Y duced by this member, the directly applied 'eter than the finished casing, expanding the Huid pressure being principally used for casing by the internal pressure of an expansible member to substantially the desired size of the casing when finished, holding the casing as thus expanded until the -tire is set, removing the expansible meinberand Vulcanizing the casing within outer confining means under Vthe internal ressure of a fluid in direct contact with the inner surface of the casing.

5. In the method of making a pneumatic tire casing, the steps of assembling a plurality of plies of rubber and fibrous material to form an endlessl ring having its central portion of smaller diameter than the finished tire, subjecting said ortion to the action of'the pressure of a uid indirectly applied to the interior thereof until substantially final tire shape and size is at- Jrained, subsequently thereto subjecting 'the said portion to the action of the pressure of a fiuid in direct Contact with the interior thereof, and nally vulcanizing the casing while acted upon by the directly applied fluid.

6. In the method of' making a neumatic tire casing, the steps of first building the casing in pulley-band shape, expanding the pulley-band to substantially tire size and shape, holding the casing thus formed under the internal pressure of an expansibie member, removing` the expansible member yand vulcanizing the casing within outer confining means under the internal pressure of a fluid in direct contact with the inner surface ofthe casing.

7 In the method of making a pneumatic tire casing, the steps of first building theA casing in pulley-band shape, warming the same, expanding the pulley band to substantially tire shape and size holding the casing under the internal pressure of an expansible member at substantially the desired size of the casing when finished until the. casing is set, removing the expansible meniber and vulcanizing the casing Within outer confining means under the internal pressure of a fiuid in direct contact with the inner surface of the casing.

8. In the method of making a pneipnatic tire casing, the steps'of building the asing in pulley-band shape, expanding the pulley- A-`/f""hand to substantially tire shape. and size,

holding the same under the internal pressure of-an expansible member at substantially the desired size of the casing when finished, removing the expansible memberv` sealing the edges of the casing and vinicanizing the easing Within outer confining means under the internal pressure of fiuid in contact with the inner surface of the casin i In the method of making a pneumatic tire casing, thesteps of building the casing with its central portion of a smaller diameter than the finished easing, expanding the unvulcanized casing Within outer confining means to substantially the desired size and shape of the finished casing under the internal pressure of' an expansible member, holding the casing as thus expanded while maintaining the unvulcanized condition until the casing is set, removing the exp-ansible meniber, and vulcanizing the casingwitliin outer confining means under the internal pressure of a fiuid in direct contact with the inner surface of the casing.

V`10. In the method of making a pneumatic tire casin the steps of building the casing in pulleyand shape, expanding the pulleyband to substantially tire shape and size. holding lthe casing within outer confining means under the internal pressure of an expansible member at substantially the desired size of the finished casing until the cas'ng is set, removing the expansible member yulcanizing the casing within outer confining means under the internal pressure of a fiuid in direct contact with the inner surface of the casing.

11. Inthe method of making a pneumatic tire casing, the steps of building the casing with its central portion of a smaller diameter than the finished casing, expanding the unvuleanized casing to substantially the desired size of the finished casing under tlnl internal pressure of an expansible member, holding the casing as thus expanded While maintaining the unvulcanized condition until the casing isset, removing the ex ansible member,- placing a sealing member etween the edges of the casing and placing the casing and the sealing member between outer mold members, clamping the edges of the casing against the sides of the sealing mein-A ber, and vulcanizing `the casing under the internal pressure of a fluid in contact. with the inner surface of the casing.

12. In the method of making a pneumatic 4tire casing, `the steps of building the casingr with its central portion of a smaller diameter ythan the finished casing, expanding the unvulcanized casing to substantially the desired size ofthe finished easing Within outer confining members under the internal pressure, of an expansible member, holding the casing as thus expanded while maintaining the unvuleanized` condition until the'casing is set, ry 'oving the outer confining means, and el` ansible member, placing a sealing inem r between the edges 'of the casing and pl ing the easing and the sealing member be Ween outer old members, clamping the edges of the casing against the sides of the sealing member and vulcanizing the casing under the internal pressure of a uid in contact with the inner surface of the casing.

13. In the method of making a pneumatic tire casing, the steps of building the casing Vin pulley-band shape, expanding the pulleyica `casing under i tlre casing,

1,289,767 '7 b and' to substantiallyv nal tire shape and. thereto subjecting the interior to the action s1ze,l1old1ngthe unrulcanized casing atsubt of the pressure of a, Huid in direct contact stantiallv the desired size of the finished with the inner surface of e casing, and

the internal pressure ot' an expansible member within outer confining means while maintaining the unrulcanized condition until the casing-is set, removing the outer confining means, and expansible member, placing a sealing member between the edges of the casing, and placing the casing and thesealing member between outer mold members, clampingr the edges of the casing against the sides of the sealing mem- Vher andvulcanizing the casing under the internal pressure of a fluid in ccntactvwith the inner surface of the casing.

14. In the method of making a pneumatic the steps of building the casing with its central portion of a smaller diam eter than the finished casing, warming and stretching the unvulcanized casing to substantially the desired size of the casing when contained in an clastically expansible meiner, holding the caslng as-thus expanded While maintaining the unvulcanizcd condi- 1n pulley-band form, warming'the same, ex-

mg with the sealing member within outer mold members, clamping the edges of the casing against the' sides of the sealing memer and vulcanizing the casing under the in ternal pressure of a Huid with the inner surface of the casing.

16. The method of making a pneumatic tire casing which comprises the steps of assembling a plurality of plies of rubber and fibrous material to form an endless ring hai'` ing'its central portion of smaller diameter than the finished tire, expandingthe said 1n direct contact th finally vulcanizingthe casingwhile. acted upon by the directg'7 applied Huid.

he method of making a pneumatic tire casing which .comprises building the casing, subjecting the casing from the interior thereof to the pressure of Huid contained in an elastically expansible member until substantially final tire size is attained, subsequently thereto sub'ectin the casing tothe pressure of a lui in irect contact izing the casing While rectly applied Huid.

18. 'The method of tire casing which comprises the steps of assembling, a plurality of plies of rubber and brous material in subjecting the band to the expanding action of Huid contained in an expansible member until substantially linal tire size is attained, subjecting the casing to t e pressure of a Huid in direct contact With the interior thereof, and finally vulcanizing the casing While acted upon by the .directly applied Huid.

fibrous material in Hat pulley band form,

of said expansible memb ining walls until substantially tire size is attained, subsequently thereto subjecting the casing to the pressure of a Huid in direct fiat pulley band form,4

so making a pneumatic contact with the interior thereof, and finally vulcanizing the casing while acted upon by the directly applied Huid.

'Ifhe method of makingl a pneumatic shaping i g walls, and linally vulcanzing the casing W ge acted upon by the directly applied 2l. The method of making a pneumatic tire casing which comprises the steps of assembling a plurality of plies of rubber and confining walls fibrous material to form an endless ring hav ing its central `vportion of smaller diameter than the finished tire, expanding the said portion toubstantially final tiresize while maintaini'gxjhe interior wall free from drectly applied fluid pressure ivvithinF on r having comparative y smooth linterior surfaces, subsequently thereto lacing the casing in outer confining 10 wal s having engraved interior surfaces for producing the tread and other surface configurations on the casing and subecting the interior to the pressure of a lui in direct Contact with tlie inner surface of the casing, and finally vulcanizing the casing while acted upon by drectlapplied fluid.

Signed at New Yor city, New York, thel 17th day of January, 1918.

ERNEST HOPKINSON. 

